Hughes has signed a load of flops: Bayern chief Hoeness slates City

04 February 2009 01:49

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has dismissed Manchester City as a team of expensive flops.

Hoeness has turned Bayern into Germany's richest club during his two decades in charge, but the former international has always ensured they operate within their budget.

Bad investment: Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has been criticised by Bayern Munich General Manager Uli Hoeness (below) for signing the likes of Craig Bellamy and Nigel De Jong.

And he has revealed that City's failure to challenge for honours has brought a smile to his face after their huge spending in the transfer market.

City spent over £50m on Wayne Bridge, Shay Given, Nigel de Jong and Craig Bellamy in January and smashed the British transfer record last year when they paid Real Madrid £34m for Brazil forward Robinho.

But despite such extravagant spending City are struggling in the Premier League and have been dumped out of both domestic cup competitions against lower league opposition.

'I saw the Premier League game between Stoke City and Manchester City (last weekend),' Hoeness said. 'I noticed that millions have been invested by certain people there very badly.

'I saw that they can do absolutely nothing, even though they were very expensive.'

Hoeness warned City against making a bid for record signing Franck Ribery during their pursuit of Kaka and will reject any approach for their star player at the end of the season.

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